In this file photo, the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol drives to the hoop as the Spurs' DeJuan Blair defends during game three of their NBA Western Conference playoffs at the Staples Center Friday, April 26, 2013. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer file)

It turns out that the Lakers never became successful in trading Pau Gasol.

The NBA nixed the Chris Paul deal. The Lakers passed on numerous trade proposals floated their way the next three years. And with Gasol announcing on Saturday on his Twitter account that he agreed to a deal with the Chicago Bulls, the Lakers did not complete a sign-and-trade with the Bulls, according to a league source familiar with the discussions.

The Lakers felt generally open to the idea both to help Gasol secure a larger contract and accumulate additional talent and draft picks. But even if the Lakers were willing to do this out of gratitude for Gasol helping them to three NBA finals appearances and two championships, the Lakers would only do so if the deal helped them.

It is not immediately clear what offers the Lakers turned down, or the terms of Gasol’s contract. But in general terms, the Lakers wanted talent, draft picks and expiring contracts, both to boost their vacant roster and ensure financial flexibility for the 2015 offseason.

“I realize that the Lakers are in a rebuilding process,” Gasol wrote on his website.” I have no doubt the Lakers will be a top contender in the future. Unfortunately, the Lakers’ timetable does not align with mine. I wish the Lakers and their fans nothing but the best going forward.”

The Lakers provided numerous offers to Gasol, though that hinged on Carmelo Anthony arriving here. Gasol had no interest in returning otherwise, preferring a team more equipped to win an NBA championship soon. That appears to be an unlikely prospect for the Lakers after finishing last season with a 27-55 record, the worst in L.A. franchise history.

Gasol established a deeply rooted legacy with the Lakers ever since being acquired from Memphis in 2008. Beyond appearing in three NBA Finals and winning two NBA championships, Gasol became a perfect fit for Phil Jackson’s triangle offense and complemented Kobe Bryant’s personality and skill set. But in the past three seasons, Gasol faced persistent trade rumors, reduced roles and an array of injuries.

“I am thankful that I was able to play with one of the greatest NBA players, Kobe Bryant, alongside many other great teammates, and for one of the greatest coaches, Phil Jackson and his coaching staff,” Gasol wrote on his website. “I‘m also grateful to have played for one of the best owners in all of sports — the Buss family.”

Staying in limbo

Even though the Lakers have finally learned Anthony will stay with the Knicks, rookie forward Julius Randle still has not signed his contract, according to league sources familiar with the situation. The Lakers initially held off on the signing to free up an additional $500,000 for either LeBron James or Anthony. With both of them playing elsewhere, the Lakers are still trying to maximize cap space to fill out the rest of their roster.

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That makes it possible Randle will miss his second consecutive summer-league game when the Lakers play today at 1:30 p.m. PST against New Orleans in Las Vegas.

Holding pattern

Perhaps at some point, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak can reduce the 20-hour workload he has carried since free agency started nearly two weeks ago. But not yet.

The Lakers still have to finalize their coaching search, which one source said is “on the near horizon.” But that will not happen until the Lakers finish up the last bits of free agency that includes likely filling up four more roster spots.

The favorite has appeared to be Byron Scott, who is believed to be the only candidate thus far to have had multiple in-person interviews with the Lakers.

Frequent flyer

New Lakers guard Jeremy Lin arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday to receive his physical. But he soon returned to China where he has had a pre-planned trip involving adidas, according to league sources. The Lakers will schedule Lin’s introductory press conference once he returns, though that date is currently unclear.